Pad for use by a bedridden and partially paralyzed patient

ABSTRACT

A bed-supported pad includes an underneath segment and an upper segment adjustable with each other to be compatible with the size of the patient. One or more pockets are releasably secured to the upper segment to hold button-actuated control devices that are operable by a bedridden and substantially paralyzed patient capable of moving his or her head in a side-to-side direction to contact the button and activate or deactivate the control devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is for a bed-supported pad for a bedridden and partially paralyzed patient capable of moving only his or her head and, more particularly, to an adjustable pad having underneath and upper segments supporting releasably and adjustably secured pockets adjacent the patient's head, the pockets carrying button-actuated control devices that can be operated when engaged by the patient's head.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous devices have been developed to assist handicapped individuals such as special wheelchairs designed to permit operation and use by such patients in a particular surrounding or under particular circumstances. Many limb-assisting devices such as arm, leg and neck braces provide in many situations for the near full use of the assisted limb.

Paraplegics and quadriplegics are particularly in need of as much assistance as possible, however it is often difficult to successfully provide significant support and assistance. Paraplegics and quadriplegics are paralyzed in their extremities and torsos. Paralysis is usually caused by injury to or disease of the spinal cord, and the degree of paralysis depends upon the level at which the spinal cord is injured. A quadriplegic has impaired arms and legs resulting from damage to the spinal cord nerve at a higher spinal location, usually in the neck. In many cases, the patient is confined to bed and has almost no ability to make any physical movement. In some cases, limited head movement is possible, but the patient must still be monitored constantly to be certain that no special need or support function is overlooked. The patient in this condition usually has no ability to call for or summon assistance unless there is an attendant at or near the patient's bed which requires a constant and expensive presence at that location. Thus there is a particular need for a device or method to allow substantially paralyzed patients having at least limited head movement to make a request for special assistance or to actuate or deactivate devices such as a call button, television or other button-actuated equipment by utilizing the limited head motion available. Call button and other remote controlled devices can be positioned near the patient's head, however the devices often fall from the bed accidentally or because of the unsuccessful attempt by the patient to use them. It is to this particular problem and need that the present invention is directed.

OBJECTIVES AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide an effective bed-supported pad for securing button-actuated control devices near the patient's head that can be operated by a bedridden and paralyzed patient having only head movement capability.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a pad of the type described that can be adjusted to be compatible with the size of the patient.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a pad of the type described that is relatively inexpensive.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a pad of the type described that can be cleaned and used again indefinitely.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a pad of the type described that is simple in design and construction and easy to install and use.

The present invention is a device meeting the objectives described which is a bed-supported pad having an underneath segment and an upper segment which are adjustable with each other to be compatible with and responsive to the size and condition of the patient. One or more pockets (preferable two) are releasable secured to the upper segment to hold button-actuated control devices that are operable by a bedridden and substantially paralyzed patient capable of moving his or her head in a side-to-side direction to contact the control device button and activate or deactivate the control devices. Closing tabs are provided to secure the control devices within the pockets. The present invention also provides a pillow pocket to receive and maintain a pillow for the patient in a fixed location.

Thus there has been outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In that respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.

It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting in any respect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of this development. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent methods and products resulting therefrom that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The application is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by its claims, nor to limit its scope in any way.

Thus, the objects of the invention set forth above, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are noted with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific results obtained by its use, reference should be made to the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. They illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the bed-supported pad comprising the present invention with a patient positioned on the pad and bed in an non-activating position with respect to the button-actuated control devices;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational, schematic view of the pad comprising the present invention supported on a bed surface;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational, schematic view of the pad comprising the present invention supported on a bed surface illustrating the formed pillow pocket;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective, exploded view of the underneath and upper segments and the pockets with outlines of the control devices in the pockets;

FIG. 5 is an underneath perspective, exploded view of the underneath and upper segments and the pockets with outlines of the control devices in the pockets;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one control device pocket in the open condition; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a control device pocket in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a bed surface 10 supports the pad comprising the present invention which is shown generally as 12. Pad 12 has an underneath segment 14 and an upper segment 16 which are adjustably and releasably secured to each other. Since segments 14, 16 overlap, adjustment is accomplished by increasing or decreasing the overlapped area a to adjust in an appropriate manner to the height of the patient. Securement of segments 14, 16 to each other is by any conventional fastening means with hook and loop fasteners being the most convenient.

One or more pockets 18 (in FIG. 1, two are shown) are adjustably and releasably secured to upper segment 16 so that they can be moved to an operable location near the patient's head. The distance from the head for each pocket should be one that permits the patient's head to make contact with the actuating button of the control device to activate or deactivate the controlled component; i.e., a call button, television set or other electronic device. The pockets are made of a convenient but loose fitting construction so that any size of conventional controls may be accommodated. The control devices in FIG. 1 are shown in outline form as 20.

Each pocket 18 has two closing tabs 30 formed preferably from hook and loop fasteners, one on the outside upper corner of the pocket and the second on the inside opposite upper corner of the pocket so that the two upper corners can be folded toward each other and secured to produce a closure flap to hold control devices 20 inside pockets 18.

Pillow pocket 22 shown in FIG. 3 is formed by utilizing a folded fabric extension to form underneath segment 14 having an open end 24 and a closed end 26 through which a pillow 28 is passed into pillow pocket 22.

The pad 12 of the present invention can be made of any number of fabric materials with a blanket wool or cotton material being perceived as the most appropriate because of the comfort and softness associated with this material. Obviously there are other materials that will work well to accomplish the stated objectives.

The present invention may be embodied in the primary version described herein, however it may also be suited for other applications. It may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it therefore urged that the preferred embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. 

1. A multifunctional bed-supported pad for use beneath the head and shoulders of a bedridden and paralyzed patient comprising: an underneath segment; an upper segment adjustably and releasably secured to the underneath segment; at least one pocket adjustably and releasably secured to the upper segment, the underneath segment configured to cooperatively receive a removable pillow to support the head of the patient.
 2. The pad as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one pocket can hold a button-actuated control device proximate and within reach of the head of the patient when the head is moved in the direction of the at least one pocket.
 3. The pad as claimed in claim 1 wherein the underneath segment is folded upon itself to form a pillow pocket.
 4. The pad as claimed in claim 2 wherein the underneath segment is folded upon itself to form a pillow pocket.
 5. A multifunctional bed-supported pad for use beneath the head and shoulders of a patient paralyzed to the extent that only the head can be moved, the pad comprising: an underneath segment adjacent the bed; an upper segment adjustably and releasably secured to the underneath segment; first and second pockets adjustably and releasably secured to the upper segment, the underneath segment configured to receive a removable pillow to support the head of the patient, the first and second pockets retaining button-actuated control devices proximate and within operable reach of the head of the patient when the head is moved in the direction of either of the control devices.
 6. The pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein the underneath segment is folded upon itself to form a pillow pocket.
 7. The pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein the underneath and upper segments are positioned with respect to each other to be compatible with the size of the patient and the first and second pockets are positioned on either side and within operable reach of the head of the patient when the head is moved in the direction of either of the control devices.
 8. The pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein the underneath segment is positioned under the shoulders of the patient and the upper segment is positioned under the head of the patient.
 9. The pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein the underneath segment is secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners and the first and second pockets are secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners.
 10. The pad as claimed in claim 1 wherein the underneath segment is secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners and the at least one pocket is secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners.
 11. The pad as claimed in claim 4 wherein the underneath segment is secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners and the at least one pocket is secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners.
 12. The pad as claimed in claim 6 wherein the underneath segment is secured to the upper segment and the first and second pockets are secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners.
 13. The pad as claimed in claim 7 wherein the underneath segment is secured to the upper segment and the first and second pockets are secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners.
 14. The pad as claimed in claim 8 wherein the underneath segment is secured to the upper segment and the first and second pockets are secured to the upper segment by hook and loop fasteners.
 15. The pad as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one pocket has closing means to secure the control device therein.
 16. The pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein each pocket has closing means to secure the control device therein.
 17. The pad as claimed in claim 8 wherein each pocket has closing means to secure the control device therein. 